Celebrations are happening at Ellesmere Youth Project, with the news that it was successful in securing a five-year Youth Development Worker post from the Rank Foundation ‘Youth or Adult?’ Initiative. In March this year, the Project’s New Deal funding came to an end and the senior youth worker post ended. It was not sure whether the Project had a long-term future.
However, with the new funding the Project will be ‘re-launching’ in September, with the youth development post running for five years until July 2012. During this time the youth development worker will work 4 days a week with the Project, developing the work alongside the Project Co-ordinator and youth worker. For the rest of their time, the worker will be studying towards an Honours degree in informal and community education with YMCA George Williams College.
Jenny Tibbles, Co-ordinator, said:
“This is a really exciting time for the Project. EYP has been working in the area for 10 years, often with little or no funding and has managed to do what it does due to the commitment and hard work of a small staff team and local volunteers. We now have the opportunity to develop five years work for the Project, which will greatly benefit local children and young people in Burngreave. It is also a fantastic opportunity for someone to start a career in youth work, with professional, degree level training included in the job package.”
“We are also happy to report that the work with young people has been continuing since March, thanks to a one-year grant from Local Network Fund. This is allowing us to continue our sessions on Tuesday evenings with dance, singing and performance work. Young people from the Project will be performing at various community festivals over the summer, including Abbeyfield Park Festival. We are also carrying out detached youth work on Thursday evenings in the Carwood and Ellesmere areas. Once the summer is underway we will meet on the ‘bowling green’ on Lyons Close for football with local young people at 7pm – weather dependent!”
If you are interested in applying for the post, please see the Youth Development Worker job advert.